Gothic Fiction

Gothic Fiction (Wikipedia!?)

Basic elements:

• the use of intense emotion
• the evocation of fear
• impressive, frequently gloomy, architecture
• a woman who needs to be rescued
• an evil, lustful villain
• supernatural occurrences

Gothic literature contains a combination of several of these elements:

• a deserted (or sparsely inhabited) castle or mansion in a state of ruins or semi-ruins

• labyrinths/mazes, dark corridors, and winding stairs filled with dusty cobwebs

• these castles or mansions have hidden tunnels/staircases, dungeons, underground
passages, crypts, or catacombs

• if set in a broken down modern house, the basement or attic becomes the place of terror

• limited lighting such as moonlight (usually a full moon), candles, flashlight, lantern;
often the light disappears: clouds hide the moon, candles go out, flashlights/lanterns are
dropped and broken

• if electric lights exist, they usually mysteriously go out

• the setting is usually threatening natural landscapes, like rugged mountains, dark forests,
or eerie moors, exhibiting stormy weather

• dark secrets surrounding some tormented soul who is left to live in isolation
• ominous omens and curses

• magic, supernatural manifestations, or the suggestion of the supernatural

• a damsel in distress

• the damsel’s rescuer; usually a lover

• horrifying (or terrifying) events or the threat of such happenings